Can You Build a Scratch-Resistant Seiko Mod?
Some people like their Seiko mods with a bit of personality (we’re talking about scratches), but some people prefer the pristine, just-out-of-the-box, polished look. If you’re from the latter camp, you must be moving cautiously to preserve that brand new look as much as you can, but scratches will come sooner or later. It’s all a part of being a watch user.
But we get it, no one forgets the first scratch on the watch. You spend weeks planning the watch, hours building it, and maybe a few days of enjoying it then bam! It meets the door knob or the kitchen counter edge, and now the flawless finish has a scar. It makes you want to keep your watch in a box, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
While scratch-free watches are only possible on unworn pieces, you can totally create a Seiko mod that’s scratch-resistant even when worn as a daily driver. You’ll just need to be smart about the parts that you use. Let’s look at how you can build one for yourself!
Crystal: Your First Line of Defense
Source: Beyond the Dial
When it comes to resisting scratches, your crystal choice is make-or-break. Most stock Seiko watches come with Hardlex, a proprietary hardened mineral glass that’s more durable than regular mineral glass but still prone to micro-scratches over time. If you’re building a scratch-resistant mod, you’ll want to swap that out.
Sapphire crystal is the go-to upgrade. It ranks a 9 on the Mohs scale which is just below diamond, making it extremely difficult to scratch with everyday wear. Wipe it off with your shirt sleeve all you want - it’s going to look crystal clear for years to come! You’ll actually have to exert extra effort to put lines on this bad boy. For a level up version, go for double-domed sapphire with AR coating for a distortion-free clarity to pair with the high durability.
Case Material and Finishing
Source: u/Stenka on WatchCrunch
The case, having the most surface area, is the most likely to get scratches with regular use. A polished finish looks great and is a must-have for dress watches, but scratches are also the most obvious on this finish while also being a fingerprint magnet. It’s best to reserve this for ‘special occasion watches’, but for your daily driver, a fully brushed case or a sandblasted one would be a lot more resistant to abrasion because of the camouflaging effect.
Matte black PVC-coated cases are also stealthy and hide dents and scratches well, but it depends on the application. If it’s only a thin, top-level coating, then you can expect scratches to be as obvious, if not more, than on a polished steel case.
Another great material that we recommend is Titanium which has an almost magical property to “heal” itself from scratches. Though it scratches on the same level as stainless steel, it forms a protective oxide layer over time that makes minor scratches look less noticeable. It’s also highly corrosion-resistant, for our scuba diving Seiko modders out there.
Bezel Inserts
Source: u/Professional-Start-7 on Reddit
Your bezel insert is one of the first parts to take a hit—literally. It sticks out and rotates (if you’re using a diver-style case), so it’s constantly exposed. When it comes to scratch resistance, the material makes all the difference.
Aluminum inserts are usually used in vintage-inspired builds, but they scratch easily and fade over time. That might be the charm for some, but if you’re building for durability, ceramic inserts will be the better choice. Ceramic is incredibly scratch-resistant and will stay glossy and sharp for years. They’re also resistant to UV fading and corrosion, making them perfect for daily beaters.
Straps and Bracelets: The Finishing Touch
Source: u/Halokid on WatchCrunch
The bracelet is another scratch-prone part of a watch especially if you have one with polished body links like an Oyster or Jubilee. Some designs are visually scratch resistant, like shark mesh or beads of rice bracelets but that’s only because of the smaller links which require closer inspection to show its scratches. As with the case, a brushed or sandblasted finish will roughen it up, but still not invincible. On a side note, the bracelet is quite easy to replace if the need arises so you don’t really have to worry about it too much.
If scratch-resistance is the most important aspect though, then we’d suggest going with the safe choice and using leather or high-quality rubber straps. If it works with your watch, a NATO strap adds extra protection by covering up your caseback, so it’s safer from scratches when you’re setting down your watch.
The Face of the Watch
Since these are protected on the inside of the watch, you don’t really have to worry at all about them getting scratched up once they’ve been installed. The real problem lies when you’re still in the middle of the building process, as these parts can be quite easy to scratch thanks to their usually polished or glossy finish!
When handling the internal parts of your mod, we’d always recommend working in a clean environment and using finger cots to avoid scratching them up. Also, while tweezers are easier for picking up hands, we suggest using the old Rodico and wood pegs for lesser chances of accidental engravings.
Unsurprisingly, your hands and dial are often the safest components in terms of scratches thanks to the protection of the crystal. But if you’re already going all in on scratch resistance, it’s still worth choosing quality parts and following safety precautions here.
Wrap Up
Building a Seiko mod with scratch-resistance as a primary focus will limit your part choices a bit, but with smart planning you’re still sure to get a handsome watch! Just keep in mind that the above suggestions are not a hard and fast rule, and you’re free to experiment and find out the best combination for your tastes.
Ready to start your scratch-resistant build? Check out our extensive catalog of premium Seiko modding parts. We've got everything you need to create a tough yet beautiful watch that can handle whatever life throws at it.
Happy modding!